Story perspectives

Study: “Sex Worker” Rated Higher Than “Hooker,” Racial Bias Evident

4/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers found “sex worker” and “escort” rate more positively than “prostitute” and “hooker.”
The online study kept 386 participants (age 42, 199 women), paid $3, and gave each only one term to avoid anchoring bias.
The data showed participants estimated the Black U.S. population at 29 % while guessing 33-37 % of sex-industry workers are Black, with higher perceived Black representation lowering positive ratings of “hooker” versus “sex worker,” indicating racial bias.

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Story summary

Researchers found “sex worker” and “escort” rate more positively than “prostitute” and “hooker.”
The online study kept 386 participants (age 42, 199 women), paid $3, and gave each only one term to avoid anchoring bias.
The data showed participants estimated the Black U.S. population at 29 % while guessing 33-37 % of sex-industry workers are Black, with higher perceived Black representation lowering positive ratings of “hooker” versus “sex worker,” indicating racial bias.